August 2025

 August began with getting ready to go back to school. We finished summer assignments, had annual physicals, got haircuts, school supplies, EpiPens, and school clothes, picked back up with band rehearsals and registered for school. Sheri also painted her senior parking spot.

We also squeezed in a bit more fun before school started.

Sheri at Wonderland

and a quick visit to California (Aug 5-9) to visit friends.

We are grateful for wonderful friends and fun trips!

Monday, August 11th was the first day of school! Sheri is a senior and Christian is in 7th grade.

Since Marianne goes to West Plains, the girls got together for pics on another "first week of school" morning.

Here is Sheri's formal Senior photo for the yearbook.

A few days later, on Wednesday, I flew to Montana to visit Eve.

First, we ate a picnic on the way back from the airport in Bozeman.

Then I got to see where she lives and we went to some local hot springs. The next day we went on a great hike and enjoyed all the scenery. We did turn back after about 45 minutes because we saw fresh bear scat and did not want an up-close encounter.

Then she showed me around the quaint town of Ennis. I got to see where she has been working, and lots of cute shops. We also had lunch at a yummy cafe.

It was also great to meet some of the lovely people that have been so kind and welcoming to Eve!

Here Eve is with the Suzukis in their beautiful gardens.

Eve finished packing up all of her stuff into boxes for pick up later. The next morning we headed to Kalispell to pick up Scott, Jen, and Matthew for our trip to Glacier National Park.

We stayed in a nice condo about 45 minutes outside of the park. It was cozy but just right for our needs.

Glacier NP was BEAUTIFUL! We got an early start on the Going-To-the Sun-Road which is a famous, historic 50 mile scenic drive that crosses the Continental Divide. We picked a few hikes along the route. This was our morning hike.

This is some of the scenery on our way up to the visitors center.

When we couldn't find parking for one of the most popular hikes, we found a little turn off which was near a thimbleberry patch path. We had a great time picking and eating to our hearts' content. It was like something out of "Blueberries for Sal". :)

Then we did an hike that took most of the afternoon!

A few brave souls jumped off the side, into the pool below.

The views on the way back were breathtaking!

In the evening we went to dinner at a Mexican restaurant and picked up some groceries.

The following day we went to a local church and then drove back into the park. We decided to go on some light hikes so as to keep the serenity of the day.

We decided to park further down the road and catch a shuttle to the main hike that we couldn't do the day before. It was worth it! Such a gorgeous hike with mountain goats, wild flowers, streams, and grand vistas. It was amazing to see God's artwork! 

We had perfect temperatures and great timing as we finished in time to catch the last shuttle back to our car. We grilled back at the condo and enjoyed our time together very much! I am so grateful that everyone was flexible, patient, and happy to be together! Thanks to Eve for letting us crowd into her car. :) A special thanks to Matt for planning the trip!

The next morning I drove Jen and Scott to the airport. Then we drove south and Matt and Eve dropped me off at the Bozeman Airport. Finally, they loaded up all her belongings to drive her back to Provo, UT since her internship was finished. Matt flew out of Salt Lake that night. Eve then had a few weeks to settle in before school began. 

Here are the rest of her August highlights.

Back at the beginning of August, Eve took a trip to the Grand Tetons. She camped on her own-

in a campground, hiked with random groups, and met up with Jefferson for a hike. On the way home she traveled through Yellowstone and enjoyed some of the beauties there.

 

Back in Ennis, she enjoyed the last few weeks of  her internship and her said goodbye to the friends she has made there.

This was her last day of knapweed weevil collection.

Eve absolutely loved her peaceful summer. She got lots of time in nature, early bed times, time to read, sweet connections, greater independence and confidence, and she learned a lot! What a blessing this opportunity was for her!

After our Glacier Trip she returned to Provo, stayed with Patty for a week, and then her cousins came back to Provo. They got settled into their apartment and then attended the Young Single Adult Conference held in Salt Lake City.

What a fun way to start off a new school year. Eve is now a senior at BYU!!!!

Back in Texas...

Life is beautiful.

But wait, I was home for just a day and then had to drive to Colorado with Christian for his OIT updose appointment. Thankfully, all went well!

When we came back a day or 2 later, Christian had his first Cross Country meet. He did awesome, though he did "toss his cookies" a few times. He pushed himself to do his best and I was proud. 

Mainly, I was worried about how he would react with his OIT and running so hard. We have learned to time his peanut dose strategically, and it has been fine.

The following week Christian had a few baby teeth pulled so that his adult teeth will come in. It was NOT fun, but he was a trooper.

On Thursday, the 28th Bushland HS had its first pep rally. It was so fun to watch the band bring the hype with their music and energy! It is going to be a fun season! This is early in the season so there are still a lot of new freshmen and coming together of parts.

Friday, 8/29 was the first football game of the season. Sheri got to conduct the band for all the stand tunes as well as their marching show.

Finally we finished the month with a quick trip to San Antonio. Saturday, the 30th we floated the river in tubes and then went to a fun restaurant with a live jazz band.

On Sunday, we visited about 4 wards, drove through neighborhoods, and visited the temple. Of course it was closed and raining, but it was still exciting to think that we will be so close to a temple when we move next summer.

On Monday, we went downtown. Matt and Christian rented scooters and explored the town ...

while Sheri and I walked the Riverwalk and enjoyed the shops. We finished with lunch on the river and drove Matt to the airport before making the drive back to Amarillo.

These are the bracelets Sheri and I got, plus the teal one for Eve. I sure love my family and am grateful to be on this adventure with them!

As Matt has been traveling for work, I will include some of his travel pictures as well.

A hotel where he stayed in CA

The San Antonio Temple

Georgia

We appreciate all his sacrifices of time, away from home, to provide for our family!

Finally, Here are some pictures of Elder Smith (Elder "Esmeetchay" is how it is pronounced.)

He is really enjoying San Sebastiao.

Sterling has been teaching Gabriel the gospel. Gabriel has been so prepared to receive the truth. Sterling has found great joy in teaching him and bringing him into the waters of baptism!  If nothing else, this has made every sacrifice he's made worth it. Helping this beloved son of God find the truth and come closer to God through the covenant of baptism has brought Sterling great joy!

Sterling has been serving for over a year now! We are grateful that he is learning, growing, finding joy, and bringing that joy to God's children in Santos, Brazil. 

Well, I think we packed about as much into this month and this summer as possible!

We are richly blessed and hope we can bless those around us as well. 

We give glory to God for His marvelous creations, for our cherished relationships, and for the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, restored in these last days! We feel His love and blessings in abundance!